System for controlling cabin pressure of aircraft



SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING CABIN PRESSURE OF vAIRGRAFT 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 N. scHwlEN FiledFeb. 24, 1941 7/ Les '.5/ Wray/v ,ne-@MAME @Pfff/uffa? Dec. 1s, 1945.

VHCUZ//V SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING CABIN PRESSURE oF lAIRG'RA'FT 1 N; scHwlEN Filed Feb. 24, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 "BMM Stam- Dec. 18, 1945.

Dec. 18, 1945. 2,391,197

SYSTEM FoRcoNTRoLLING CABIN PRESSURE oF AIRCRAFT L. N. scHwlEN 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fil'ed Feb. 24, 1941 'In Heiz Zar.

Dec. 1s, 1945.

CRAFT' l L. N. scHwlEN SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING CABIN PRESSURE OF A-IR Filed Feb. 24 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 1111. vif: *lill/l Dec. 18, 1945.

SYSTEM FOR CONfIROLLING CABIN PRESSURE 0F AIRCRAFT rr rn 1 N. SCHW'IEN Filed Feb. '24, 1941 ffl jigs.

5 Sheets-Sheet 5 [nue/Zion wmwafgadn Patented Dec. 18, 1945 SYSTEM FOB OON'I'BULL-ING CABIN PRESSURE F AIRCRAFT Leo Nevin Schwich. Los Angeles, Calif., assignur to L. N. Schwien Engineering Co., Los Angeles, Calif., a limited partnership composed of Leo Nevin Schwien, Louise Kurbel Schwien, Georgia Kurbel, Mary Kurbel, and

oi' California Frances Kurbel, all

Application February 24, 1941, Serial No. 380,281

` .1s claims. V(ci. sis-1.5)

This invention relates generally to systems for controlling the interior airpressure of supercharged aircraft cabins.

It is now becoming common practice to supercharge the cabins of aircraft ,above altitudes oi' about 8,000 ft., the lowered atmospheric pressure at about that elevation beginning to be ielt" by-the passengers. as is well understood. However, not only is it desirable to supercharge above an elevation of about 8.000 ft., but it is further desirable that the differential of pressures in- Fig. is a diagrammaticA view of a modied control system in accordance with the inven- Fis. 5a is an enlarged view-of a portion of. Y Fig. 5;

Fig. 6 shows an improved form of valve actuating device. such as may be incorporated inA the -systems of Figs. 4 or 5 with benecial effect,

temally and externally of the cabin be not allowed to exceed some predetermined maximum governed by considerations of' cabin structure strength against bursting strains. I'he problem, therefore, is to provide a control system which, as the airplane climbs above about 8,000 ft., will hold the internal cabin' pressure substantiallyl constant at the normal pressure level for 8,000

ft., but which, when the plane reaches some predetermined higher elevation, say about 30,000 it., will then allow the .cabin pressure to fall with further increase in airplane altitude, so that the differential of pressures internally and externally 1cf the cabin will never exceed a`given safety va ue.

The general object of the present invention is to provide a control system capable of accomplishing the above described results with surety and eil'ectiveness, and which is at the same time characterized by avoidance throughout of complicated and expensive structure and mechanism.

The system of the present invention will be described in detail in severaltypical illustrative forms, in the course of which additional objects and the various features and accomplishments of the invention will be made apparent. For this purpose reference is had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l'is a diagram of an airplane cabin, to

. which is connected a supercharger for introduction of pressure air, and a source of vacuum foroperation of the control system;

Fig. 2 is a graph illustrating the operation of my control system;

Fig. 3 is another graph showing a modiiied'type of operation in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 4 is al diagrammatic view of a preferred form of control system in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 4a is an enlarged view of a portion of Fig. 4:

Fig. 4b is a section on line lb-Ib of Figlia;

Fig. 4c is an enlarged view of a portionl ofl Fis- 4:

Fig. 6 being a section taken on line 6 6 of 7; v Fig..`7 is a side elevation of thedevice of Fig. 6, being a view looking toward the device of Fig. 6 from the right;

Fig. -8 is a section taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 6; Fig. 9 is a modification o1' the device shown in Figs. 6 tu 8, being a view taken on line'ii-B' of Fig. 10; and n Fig. 10 is a section taken on broken line I0-I0 of Fig. 9.

Reference is iirst directed to Fig, 2, which is a graph showing the relation between aircraft altitude and the desired effective altitude within the cabin as the aircraft rises to an elevation of 40,000 it., and then descends to sea level. The curve I2 represents the actual altitude of the aircraft above sea level. Owing to supercharglng of the cabin above some arbitrarily fixed altitude, usually above 8.000 it., the cabin interior above that altitude is at a pressure higher than outside pressure. and the curve I3 of Fig. 2 represents the "eiective cabin altitude, i. e., the

valtitude that corresponds to the interiors cabin pressure. Thus whereas the aircraft may be at a given high altitude. the occupants ofthe cabin will experience a pressure condition corresponding to some lesser altitude. I'he two curves I2 and I3 lof Fig. 2 thus represent, respectively, the actual altitude of the plane, and the effective cabin interior altitude. or altitude which would correspond vto the actual pressure conditions maintained within the supercharged cabin. Reference to Fig. 2 will show that whereas the aircraft gains altitude along such'a curve as is represented at I2, the eifective cabin altitude ceases to increase at an altitude of about 8,000 ft., this f point being indicated at Il, and remain substantially constant until the aircraft has reached an altitude of about 30,000 ft. (point I 5 on curve I3). The effective cabin interior altitude thus follows 'curve I2 to point I4 (8,000 feet). and then remains substantially constant while the aircraft is rising to about 30,000 ft. By this time, however, there is a substantial dierential as between` the pressures existing internally and externally of the cabin. and in order to avoid undue bursting strains, it becomes desirable to thereafter permit the cabin pressure to fall with further fall of outside pressure. In4 other words, in terms as represented in Fig. 2, the effective altitude of the cabin interior is allowed to increase v with further climb of the aircraft above yan altitude here arbitrarily taken to be 30,000 ft. In accordance with the invention, therefore, the

pressure differential internally and externally of the cabin should, preferably, be held. constant above 30,000 ft. Because of the logarithmic relation between barometric pressure and4 altitude, however, a constant differential between actual airplane altitude and effective cabin altitude will not bemaintained, the effective cabin altitude not increasing as rapidly as airplane altitude, as is indicated between points I5 and I1 on curve I3 in Fig. 2.

.Asthe aircraft descends, as from point I6 to sea level (see Fig. 2), the effective cabin interior altitude may also bepermitted to fall. This effective cabin interior altitude may be allowed to follow from the point I1 of maximum altitude along the dotted line I8, in such a way as to preserve the arbitrarily selected maximum differential of internal and external cabin pressure constant until the an effective cabin ypressure corresponding to elevation of 8,000 ft. is reached, after which the internalcabin pressure would remain constant until the aircraft is also down to 8,000 ft. as indicated. When the aircraft dives sharply from a high altitude, however, the rapid increase of pressure produces uncomfortable and disturbing physiological effects and these may be reduced somewhat by causing the effective cabin altitude to fall less sharply along such a modifled line as is indicated at 20, the cabin altitude and the aircraft altitude reaching the 8,000 ft. level simultaneously, as indicated.I Below this level, the aircraft and effective cabin interior altitude are substantially equal.

. Reference now being directed to Figs. 1 and 4,v

numeral 24 indicates Vdiagrammatically the cabin of an aircraft, equipped with supercharger 25 and incoming air pressure line 26. Numeral 21 by a bell-jar shaped member 36, the latter being annularly spaced from tubular member 35 so as to provide an annular air passage 31, and

between members 35 and 36, and thence downwardly through member 35 to be exhausted to atmosphere. This particular form of air outlet has the advantage that it forms -a muiller against incoming noise, and has the further advantage that heat from the air rising through designates generally a wall of the cabin structure, which is furnished with an air outlet 28 controlled by a valve 48. An air pressure system 'l is provided for operating the valve 48, and while within the broad scope of the invention this system might be operated by air at a pressure either above or below atmospheric pressure, I here show the case of a system operated by air at sub-atmospheric pressure. A vacuum source is accordingly designated generally in Fig. 1 atin line 30, a suitable example of which is shown in my copending application, Ser. No. 346,668, i'iled July 20, 1940, entitled Vacuum regulator for l air driven aircraft instruments. With the use' of such a regulator, a substantially constant source of vacuum is afforded, as will be obvious. In such a case, the actual source 28 taken together with the regulator 3l may be taken together as a source of substantially constant vacuum.-

Air outlet 23 is defined byV a tubular member 35 mounted in and extending'inwardly from cabin wall 21. This tubular member 35 is surrounded annular passageway 31 warms outlet tubular member 35,- and thereby reduces the tendency for ice to form at the discharge end of the exhaust tube 35.

Mounted in tubular member 35 is the valve 48,` preferably and here shown as a butterily valve, which is here shown as carried by a shaft 49 rotatably mounted in tubular member 35 and which has on one end a bell crank 50. ,To one arm 5I of bell crank 50 is connected one end ofa tension spring 52, the other end of which is anchored to a suitable supporting means, as indicated at 53. To the other arm 54 of bell crank is connected one end of a link 55,`the other end of which is connected to the center of a pair of disks 56 between which is clamped a flexible diaphragm 58. Flexible diaphragm 58 deilnes one side of a closed vacuum chamber 58, its outer surface being exposed to interior cabin pressure, and communicating with chamber 59 is a vacuum conduit 60. As appears in Fig. 4, spring 52 and bell crank 58 are so arranged that butterfly valve 48 is urged to move to the closed, dotted line position by spring 52, while movement of diaphragm 58 in a direction toward the left, as viewed in the figure, moves valve 48 toward fully open position, shown in full lines in the gure.

Vacuum line 60 is connected to the aforemen-v tioned vacuum source 29 via a control valve 65, lines 66 and 61, and the aforementioned vacuum line 30.

Preferably,jand as here embodied, the 4valve includes a member 68 having air passages 83 and 10, connected to vacuum lines 56 and 61, respectively, and opening in relatively close spaced positions through a surface 1I swept vat close working clearance by the end 12 of a pivoted valve plate 13. Valve Iplate 13 is pivotally mounted on any suitable support at 14, and is preferably counterweighted as indicated at 15. 'I'he end 12 of valve plate 13 is formed with an air passage groove orfdepression 16, the height of which is substantially equal to the center to center spacing of air passages 68 andv 10 at point of opening through surface 1I. The groove 16 serves to pass air from one of said passages to the other. In the valve position illustrated in full lines in Fig.

4a, maximum flow from passageway 18 through groove 16 to passageway 69 is permitted, both of the passageways being open substantially half their maximum area. In this position the valve plate 13 is against a stop 88. As the valve plate at one end on any suitable fixed support 85h within the cabin. As indicated in'Fig. 4, the movable end 85a o! bellows 85 is connected by a band 81 with pivoted valve plate 13 at a point located between pivot 14 and valve end 12. The tension spring 88, here shown as connected to valve plate 13 at a point in line with band 81. urges valve plate 18 to move in a direction from bellows 85, and is shown as anchored by means of tension adjustment lscrew 88 to a. bracket 88 mounted on any suitable iixed support 80.

The valve plate 13 'is against stop 80 at all times that the pressure outside the bellows is above a value corresponding to atmospheric pressure at some denite altitude. Below such altipressure in a somewhat elongated or stretched condition by the engagement of the plate 13 against stop 80. At and above the stated altitude, the cabin pressure becomes sufiiciently lo'w so that the bellows expands to a length suilicient to cause separation of valve plate 13 from stop 80. The tension exerted by spring 88 determines the exact cabin pressure at which the bellows will begin to elongate beyond its first described length (that at which plate 13 contacts stop 80), since the eiect of the pressure of the cabin air acting inwardly on the bellows is balanced partly by the partially compressed bellows itself and partly by the spring 88. Adjustment of vspring 88 accordingly regulates the air pressure point at which the bellows will begin to elongate, and the valve plate 13 will begin to separatev from `stop 80.. This adjustment is preferably made such that the bellows will begin to elongate at an airplane altitude of about 8,000 ft.

The operation of the system as so far described may now be understood. The plane being at ground level, pressure conditions internally and externally of the cabin are substantially equal and the aneroidr bellows 85 is held contracted by atmospheric pressure against the force-of spring 88 and the resistance of the bellows itself to the extent permitted bythe valve stop 80, so that the air passage from passageway 88 through to passageway 10 is open to the maximum extent possible. At this time maximum suction from line in altitude.

oted valve plate |08 which is constructed like tion, depending upon the amount by which the pressure in the diaphragm chamber is increased. The position of valve 48 is thus determined at any given time'by the opposing forces exerted by spring52 and the diaphragm 58 on the two arms of bell crank 50, the valve coming to rest in a positionY at which the differential of forces exerted on the diaphragm and transmitted to the bell crank is just balanced by spring 52. Thus valve plate 48 moves from the fully open, full line position of Fig. 4 toward the closed dotted line position in accordance with the movement of valve plate 13 from the full line toward the dotted line position of Fig. 4a. The bellows 85, varying in length in response to changes in interior cabin pressure above an airplane altitude of 8,000 ft., then automatically governs the valve 55 to control the position of air outlet valve-48 in such a manner as to hold the interior cabin pressure constant as the airplane climbs above 8,000 ft. l

As the airplane climbs substantially above 8,000

ft.; the pressure diil'erentialdnt'emally and exy ternally of the cabin ilnally becomes quite large for the structural strength of the cabin, and it therefore becomes desirable to permit interior cabin pressure to then fall with further increase Therefore, in accordance with the preferred form of the present invention, there is provided a valve device, generally designated at |00 in Fig. 4, which automatically comes into operation at a predetermined pressure differential Vand prevents further increase in pressure differential. 'Ihis may be set to occur at about 30,000 ft. The valve device |00 is somewhat similar to the previously described valve device 85. It comprises a member l0| having air passages |02 and |03 communicating via lines |04 and |05 with vacuum lines 80 and 30, respectively. The air passages |02 and |03 open in relatively close spaced positions through surface |01` swept at close working clearance by the end |08 of a pivvalve plate 13. This valve plate |08 is pivotally mounted on a suitable support at ||0. and is counterweighted as indicated at l On oppo.

l site sides oi' valve plate |08 are a tension 'spring 88 is therefore communicated vla line 85. valve 85, line 81 and line 80 to chamber 58. so that the pressure in the latter is reduced to maximum extent. and diaphragm 58 is at its extreme left hand position, with butter-ily valve 48 in its fully open position. As the airplane then climbs, and the 'pressure both within and without the cabin falls accordingly. the compressive pressure of the cabin air on bellows 85 graduallydecreases. Below 8.000 ft., however. the pressure acting on the bellows maintains the latter at a length such that valve plate 13 remains against stop 80, the collapsing' force of the cabin airremaining 4more than sufficient to overbalance the resistance oi' the bellows plus that of the spring 85. But at about 8.000 ft., depending upon the adjustment of spring 88. the pressure oi the air has lowered sumciently so that the bellows 85, under the iniluence both oi' its own compression and the tension of spring 88. begins to'elongate, the valve plate 18- hence moving in a direction away from stop 88, i. e., toward the dotted line position of Fig. 4a. This closes down vacuum passageway 88and allows the pressure in diaphragm chamber 58 to increase. The inward pull on the diaphragm I2, and a metallic bellows I3. one end of spring |l2 and a band 'I I4 secured to the movable end of bellows ||8 being connected with valve plate |08 at points between pivot ||0 and valve end |08. Spring ||2 is anchored by means of tension adjustment screw ||5 to any suitable support such as H8, and the fixed yend of bellows |13 is mounted inside thecabin on a support ||1. The

interior of the bellows 3 is in communication via a conduit 8 with outside atmosphere, the conduit ||8 opening through cabin wall 21 as in- Below an altitude of 8,000 ft., or in other words below the point at which supercharging of the cabin is initiated, the pressures inside andoutside of bellows ||3 are substantially the same, and the valve plate |08,is held against stop |20 by means of spring ||2. In such position, passageway |02 is open to groove |09a in the end |08 of valve plate |08, but the passageway |03 is closed by the end of the valve plate, as will be evident. Climbing above 8,000 ft.. the pressure outside the cabin continues tovfall, but by reason of the operations previously described the interior cabin pressure holds constant and the increasing dilerential of pressures inside and outside the bellows |l3 causes .said bellows to contract against the restraint of spring H2. Even- 'planedescends below 8,000 ft.

8,000 ft., the differential of pressures externally and internally of bellows ||3 is suicient that the spring restrained valve plate |09 is pulled downwardly by the bellows to some such a position as illustrated in4 Fig. 4c, in which communic cation is established between valve passageways tually, in the further climb of the plane abovethan outside atmospheric pressure,A starting` to i'all as the plane rises from ground level. .Thus as the plane rises, the interior cabin pressure constantly falls, but at a lesser rate than outside or atmospheric pressure, so that the pressure differential of internal and external pressures increases with plane altitude. The reverse occurs corresponds to an altitude of about 30,000 ft.,

establishes communication from vacuum source line 30 to diaphragm .chamber 59 via the line |05, the valve |00 and the line |04, so that the vacuum in chamber 59 is increased and diaphragm 58 moves further inwardly, or toward the left, and outlet valve 48 is opened'somewhat, allowing interior cabin pressure to fall correl spondingly. This brings about further extension of aneroid bellows 85, which moves valve plate 13 to interrupt the supply of vacuum to diaphragm 4chamber 59 via the control valve 65. Valve plate 13 may at this time move against its stop 3|.. Thereafter, that is, at altitudes above 30,000 fti, ai'r discharge valve 48 is under the sole control of the valve |00, which is in turn under the control of the differential of pressures internally and externally ofthe cabin, and automatically seeks a position maintaining the differential of pressures internally and externally of the cabin at a predetermined maximum, which vis established by the tension initially given to spring ||'2. t

In the descent of the plane, the valve plate |09 returns to the position of Fig. 4 and the valve as the plane descends, as indicated by the graph.

.This type of operation, which gives the passengers a longer time period within which to accommodate themselves to change of altitude, is particularly desirable for passenger transport service.

Fig. 5 again shows somewhat diagrammaticallv a fragmentary portion oi' the cabin, including the air discharge outlet, discharge outlet control valve, and diaphragm chamber, all arranged the same as in the system of Fig. 4, and corresponding parts of the two systems being identied by similar reference numerals. A control valve |30 is employed, which may be exactly like the control valve |00 of Fig. 4, and comprises a member |3| having air passages |32 and |33 opening in close spaced positions through surface |34 plate 13 lifts above the dotted-line vacuum cutand is maintained thereby at al constant-value equivalent to atmospheric pressure at 8,000 ft. As the plane then reaches the 8,000 ft. level, the

valve plate 13 returns to the position of Fig. 4,

thereby opening wide the vacuum supply to diato move inwardly and open wide the air outlet valve 48. Pressres internally and externally of the cabin are thus substantially equalized as the As a preferred feature, I may provide a restricted orice |25 in the conduit ||3 that establishes communication between bellows ||3 and the outside atmosphere. In the case of a steep dive from an altitude above 30,000 ft., this restricted orifice has the effect of retarding the air ow into bellows ||3, and therefore the increase of cabin pressure, so that the cabin pressure may increase along the line 20 of Fig. 2, andv may not rise to a value corresponding to an altitude of 8,000 ft. until substantially the time the plane reaches the 8,000 ft. level. 'I'his of course partially relieves the occupants ofthe plane of the disturbing physiological sensations resulting from dives throughout the range from above phragm chamber 59, and causing the diaphragm Fig. 5 shows a modiiled system having modi- I ed operating characteristics represented by the graph of Fig. 3. In the type of operation represented by the graph of Fig. 3, the interior cabin pressure does notfall with outside atmospheric pressure up to an arbitrary altitude level such as 8,000 ft., as in Fig. 2, but falls at a lesser rate swept by the end |35 of pivoted valve plate |30. Valve plate |35, which has air passage groove |31 in its forward end |35, 'is pivotally mountedon a suitable support at |33, and is counterweighted at |39. vThe air passageway |32 has connected thereto the vacuum chamber line 60, and the air passageway 33 has connected thereto the vacuum source line 30.

A bellows |40, corresponding to the bellows ||3 of Fig. 4, is mounted on a ilxed support |4| and has its movable end connected by means of a. band |42 to valve plate |33 at a. point between pivot |30 and valve end |35, and a tension spring |45,corresponding to spring ||2 of Fig. 4, is connected at one end to valve plate |33, in line with band 42, and at the other end to one end of a pivoted tension regulatingbeam |41. 'I'he bellows |43 communicates with outside atmosphere via. a conduit |43 opening through cabin wall 21. f

'I'he valve |30, under the control of spring |45 and the bellows |40, will operate similarly to the valve |00 of Fig. 4 to create a differential of pressure inside and outside the cabin depending upon the spring tension exerted upon it. In the system of Fig. 5, however, the spring tension is increased as the airplane gains altitude, and the diil'erential of pressure inside and outside the cabin increases accordingly. The present illustrative means for accomplishing this increase in spring tensionwith increasing altitude includes an aneroid bellows |50 mounted on a wall of a chamber |5|, which chamber is in communication with outside atmosphere via tubing |52 connected into tubing |43. The movable end of aneroid bellows |50 is connected to the end of beam |41 opposite to that to which the spring |45 is connected. and the beam is furnished with a pivotal mounting |53 just inside chamber |5|, as indicated, a bellows |54vsealing the opening in chamber |5| through which the beam projects. As here shown, a second tension spring |56 is connected between the end of beam |41 and a tension adjustment screw |51 threaded in fixed support |53. As here shown, screw |51-has an enlarged head |59 having a scale |59a on its periphery, which scale is provided with a ilxed indicator |59b'.' y 1 f The tension of spring |53 is adjusted at ground level so as just to balance against bellows |50.

stop |64, but preferably being untensed. In this valve position the vacuum source is cut olf from diaphragm chamber 56 (see full line position, Fig. a), and the spring 52 therefore holds air outlet valve 40 in closed position. Pressure inside the cabin accordingly rises above outside atmospheric pressure, with the result that bellows contracts and causes valve plate |36 to move downwardly against springs and |56 to such a position; for instance as illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 5a. so that vacuum line 30 is in communication with line -and diaphragm chamber 53. 'Ihe pressure in diaphragm chamber 59 is accordingly reduced, and the diaphragm 58 moves valve 48 toward open position. The exact position assumed -by valve plate |36 and the outlet. valve 48 will now depend upon the tension of springs |45 and |56, the 4system operating Vautomatically to establish some definite differential of pressure internally and externally of the cabin, which however may xbe very small because of the absence voi' substantial initial tension in the springs, particularly in spring |45.- As the airplane then rises, outside atmospheric pressurefalls, and this atmosphericpressure being communicated to chamber |5|, aneroid bellows |50 elongates, and moves beam |41 to increase the tension exerted by spring |45 on valve plate |36. 'Ihis moves plate |36 inthe direction of its stop |60, closing ldown the air passageway through valve |30, and therefore decreasing the vacuum in diaphragm chamber 59, which permits valve 43 to close somewhat, andthe pressurediieren- `tial internallyand externally of the cabin to increase accordingly. Thus, whereas the valve device |00 of the system of Fig. 4 operates to produce a constant differential of pressure internally and externally of the cabin, the valve device' |30 of the system of Fig. 5 operates to produce differentials of pressure inside and outside the cabin which increase with increasing altitude. Except at take-off, when internal cabin pressure is equal to or only very slightly above atmospheric pressure, internal cabin pressure is always higher than outside atmospheric pressure, and the dif-- ferential increases with the altitude of the airplane. Or, as represented in Fig. 3, -the eiective altitude of the cabin is always less than the actual altitude of the plane, and the higher the altitude .of the plane, the greater is the diflference between actual plane altitude and effective cabin altitude;

As stated-before, the spring tension exerted-on the control valve plate .|36 is adjusted before take-olf for zero diilerential of pressures inter- .nelly and externally of the cabin for the altitude of the take-od point above sea level.v In

the descent of the plane, the diiferential of pres- Vsures internally and externally of the cabin will l again reach zero or substantially zero at that same take-off altitude. However, it'may be that the landing neld will be at some diiIerent altitude. For example,- whereas the take-oil iield might be at sea level, the landing iield might be at an altitude of say 6000 ft. above sea level, in which case there would still be a very substantial while the plane is in the air.

'screw |51 and the indicator |591). If this tension adjustment be properly made, the diiferential'of pressure internally and externally of the cabin will be substantially zero when tne plane reaches the landing field. The system as described thus involves a manual adjustment of the spring ten- 1 sion exerted on the valve for'the altitude at which the plane is to land', and this adjustment is 'made Of course, the adjustment having been properly made for a given landing eld altitude, that same adjustment will then be proper to establish a zero differential of pressures at time of subsequent takeo.

The system of Fig. 5 has the general advantage that pressure conditions inside the cabin are always held above outside atmospheric pressure conditions, and particularly that pressure changes within the cabin are more gradually made than the change in outside atmospheric pressure as the plane clim'bs or descends, and this holds true Y from ground level rather than from a beginning point at somel predetermined. altitude above ground level.

The system of Fig. 5 lmay be provided with means limiting the maximum differential of pressures internally and externally of the cabin to any predeterminedmaxlmum; thismay be done in several ways, such as by the provision of a stop .|.41a adapted to be engaged by and thus limit .the movement of the-beam |41, or by the provision of a spring loaded relief valve (not shown). of any conventional or suitabiegcharacter, arranged to bleed air from the cabin when some predetermined maximum pressure differential is achieved.

In the illustrative systems of Figs. 4 and 5, the

positions of valve plates 13, |03 and |36 vary with L the pressures exerted by the respective bellows..

the position assumed in each instance being that in which the spring balances the force exerted on the valvev plate by the bellows. In the simple diagrammatically illustrated arrangements of Figs. 4 and 5, relatively small changes in force exerted by the bellows produce relatively small deilections of the valve springs and of the valve plates, unless springs of considerable length (low spring constant) are used. In order to secure a greater spring deflection, and therefore a greater movement of valve plate, for a given change of bellows pressure, without resorting to springs 0f undue length, the spring system of Figs. 6, 7 and 8 may be employed. V'I'he device of Figs. 6 through 8 is e shown in a mechanical form designed for control of the valve ss of Fig. 4, but it will be understood that the same system may be employed incondifferential of pressures internally and externally oi the cabin after landing. Thisundesirable condition may be obviated by adjustment of the spring tension exerted on the valve plate while the plane is in ilight, the adjustment being made by means of the above described tensionV adjustment screw |51. To facilitate the adjustment, the scale Illa on the head of screw\|61 may be calibrated in terms of take-oil' and landing ileld nection with thevalve device |00 of Fig. 4, with its spring I I2 and bellows ||3, or the valve device |30 of Fig. 5, with its spring system |45, |55 and bellows |40. In Figs. 6 through 8, the valve plate is designated at 13a, pivotally mounted at 14a on trunnions |10 supported by a frame |1| thatalso supports the member 68a in which the vacuum passageways 63a and 10a are formed. The forward end of valve plate 13a is shown'to have air passage groove or depression 16a, all corresponding to the arrangement diagrammed in Fig. 4.

Tension spring 06a is connected at one end to valve plate 13a, and at the other end to tension' adjustment screw 88a mounted in support 88a. Bellows 85a, mounted on support |18, lias its movable-end connected to valve plate 18a -by means of band 81a.- Secured to valve plate 18a just rearwardly of pivot 14a is a beam |18. This beam |18, which extends substantially at right angles tojvalve plate 13a, carries ,at the top a cross piece |11, to opposite ends of which are.

connectedv the upper ends of tension springs |18.

The lower end of the beam |18 is counterweighted.

as at |16a. .The lower ends of springs |18 are connected torframe structure |18 at points below 'bellows 85a. The center linesor lines of action,

of these springs |18 are just to one sldeor the other of the axis of valve plate pivot 14a, beingl internally and externally of the bellows should change, such as to cause a change in the force exerted by the bellows, the length of spring 88a will change accordingly, and this change in length of spring 86a will be lncreasedby the action of the springs |18. Assume, for example, a contraction of bellows 85a, and a corresponding extension of spring.86a, so that the valve plate rocks in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 6. Such movement of the valve plate will substantially increase the relatively short lever arm of springs |18, or in other words, the perpendicular distance between their lines ofaction and the pivot axis of the valve plate. The moment of the springs |18 acting to cause counter-clockwise rotation of the valve plate is therefore substantially increased, and the movement of the plate is magnied accordingly. The springs |18, `in effect, lower the spring constant of the system, magnifying the deflection of the movable members resulting from change of force exerted by the bellows. If the lines of action of the springs |18 passed outside the pivot axis of the plate 13a, the

springs |18 would then act with rather than y pressures.

against the springs 88a, ibut in such a case the moment of the springs |18 would be decreased rather vthan increased, so that the resultwould again be an increase in counter-clockwise moment, and increased movement of the valve plate.

extending radially from pivot 1lb at about 45 from the plane-of the valve plate 13b. Tension spring 88h is connected to valve plate 13b' by means of a stirrup |81 which straddles arm |85 and is pivotaliy connected to opposite"edges of valve plate 13b as at |88.

Now since the connection point between thevalve structure 1lb, |85 being in the plane of the plateltb; will have-no material component of movement parallel to said plane. Therefore, as the force exerted by the bellows 85h on the valve structure 13b, |85 changes, and said valve structure and the spring 88h deflect accordingly, there will be a like variation in the lever arm distance at which the bellows acts on the valve structure, that is, in the perpendicular distance between band 81h and the axis of pivot 1lb, whereas the lever arm distance ofthe spring 86h acting on valve plate 13b will not be materially affected. They result is that anyl movement of the system initiated by deflection offthebellows is magnifled.- For example, assuming the pressure externally of the bellows to decrease, the bellows will elongate and permit movement of the valver designed to accomplish a result which is in ef fect the equivalent of use of a valve spring of lowered spring constant, this being the gain of a relatively large range of valve plate movement for a relatively small range of varying bellows It will be understood that the drawings and description are illustrative" of rather than restrictive on the invention, and that various Y.

" changes in design, structure and arrangement maybe made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or of the appended Y claims.

I claim: n l. In a control system for a supercharged aircraft cabinv having an air outlet: al movable valve nifying the deection of the spring for a given change in bellows pressure, applicable again to any of the valves 65, |80 or |30. The valve device in this instance is in general respects similar to the device of Figs. 6, 'Z and 8, and corresponding parts are for convenience identified by `simi lar reference numerals, but with the sub'letter b used in the case of Figs. 9 and l0. In the device of Figs. 9 and 10, the band 81h connecting bellows 85h with the valve plate 13b is attached to an arm |85`projecting from the pivot end of plate 13b and spaced somewhat on the opposite controlled means causing closing movement of saidv air outlet valve, and an aneroid device acting on said vacuum control valve in opposition to said spring, said aneroid device being exposed shown, the band is connected in any suitable to internal cabin pressure, and being ineffective to cause movement of said vacuum control valve f in response to fall of cabin' pressure until apredetermined pressure level is reached, but4 being responsive at and below said predetermined pressure to support said vacuum control valve against said spring 'at' positions in which the air outlet valve maintains the internal cabin pressure approximately constant at said predeterminedlevel.

2. In acontrol system for a supercharged air-l craft cabin having an air outlet: a 'movable valve controlling said outlet, a vacuum supply line,

vacuum controlled means connected to said line adapted to operate said valve, a vacuum control valve in said vacuum `supply line, a spring for urging said vacuum control valve to move in a direction to effect operation of said vacuum controlled means causing closing movement of said air outlet valve, and an exhausted expansive chamber exposed to cabin interior pressure and having a movable wall operatively coupled to said vacuum control valve so as to act thereon in opposition to said spring.

3. In a control system for a supercharged aircraft cabin having an air outlet: a movable valve controlling said air outlet, a source of substantially constant vacuum,vacuum controlled means for operating said valve, and means responsive to the differential of pressures internally and exter-v nally of the cabin for governing application, of vacuum from said source to said vacuum controlled means.

4. In a control system for a supercharged aircraft cabin having an air outlet: a movable valve controlling said air outlet, a vacuum supply line, vacuum controlled means connected, to said line adapted to operate said valve, a control valve in said vacuum supply line, a spring for urging said control valve to move in a direction to eilect operation of said vacuum controlled means causing closing movement of vsaid air outlet valve, and means responsive to the diilerential of pressures internally and externally of the cabin and operatively coupled to said control valve to act thereon in opposition to said spring.

5. In a control system for a supercharged aircraft cabin having anv air outlet: a movable valve controlling said outlet, a vacuum supply line, vacuum controlled means connected to said line adapted to operate said valve, said vacuum controlled means operating to open said valve with increasing vacuum application thereto, a control valve in said vacuum supply line, a spring for `urging said control valve to move toward closed position, an exhausted expansive chamber exposed to cabin interior pressurehaving a movable wall operatively connected to said control valve and acting on said control valve in opposition to said spring. all so arranged that expansion of said chamber permits said spring to move said control valve toward closed position, means supporting said chamber against contraction by cabin air pressure beyond a dimension corresponding to its normal dimension for atmospheric pressure at a predetermined altitude, a control valve con-` nected in said vacuum line in parallel with said nrst mentioned control valve, a spring for urging said last mentioned control valve to move toward closed position, an expansive chamber exposed externally to cabin `interior pressure and internally to outside atmospheric pressure, said last mentioned chamber having a movable wall oper- 6.- In a control system for a superchargef,l aircraft cabin having an air outlet: a movable valve controlling said air outlet, a vacuum supply line, vacuum controlled means connected to said line vadapted to operate said valve, a control valve in said vacuum supply line, a spring for urging said control valve to move in a direction to eiect oper# ation of said vacuum controlled means causing closing movement of said air outlet valve, and an expansive chamber exposed externally to cabin pressure and internally to outside atmospheric pressure, said chamber having a movable wall operatively coupled to said control valve to act thereon in opposition to said spring, and means for increasing the pressure exerted by said spring on said control valve with decrease in external atmospheric pressure.

7. In a, control system for a supercharged aircraft cabin having an air outlet: a movable valve controlling said air outlet, a vacuum supply line,

vacuumcontrolled means connected yto said line adapted to operate said valve, a control valve in 'said vacuum supply line, a spring for urging said control valve to move in a direction to effect operation of said vacuum controlled means causing closing movement of said air outlet valve, and an expansive chamber exposed externally to cabin pressure and internally to outside atmospheric pressure, .said chamber having a movable wall operatively coupled to said control valve to act thereon in opposition to said spring, and an expansive aneroid chamber exposed1 to atmospheric pressure and coupled to said spring so asto increase the pressure exerted by said spring on said control valve with decrease in external atmospheric pressure.

8. In combination, a pivoted valve structure, a tension spring connected to said valve structure and acting'to move. said valve structure in one direction about its pivot axis, an expansive chamber connected to said valve structure and arranged to move said valve structure in the opposite direction about its pivot axis, and a tension spring anchored at one end and connected at the other end to said valve structure at a point spaced from thepivot axis Aof the latter and extending and acting on said valve structure along a drection line passing relatively close to but one side of said pivot axis.

9. In a control system for a supercharged aircraft cabin having an air outlet: a movable valve controlling said air outlet, pneumatic means for operating said valve, and an air control valve for Asaid pneumatic means embodying a pivoted air valve structure, a tension spring connected to said. air valve structure and acting to move said valve structure in one direction about its pivot axis, an expansive chamber connectedto said valve structure and arranged to move said valve structure in the opposite direction about its pivot axis. and a tension springv anchored at one end atively connected to said last mentioned control valve and acting on said last mentioned control to an atmospheric pressure g corresponding to a predetermined altitude above said ilrst mentionedA 75 closing movement of said air outlet valve, and an predetermined altitude.

and connected at the otherl end .to said valveV4 structure "at a point spaced from the pivot axis of the latter and extending and acting on said valve structure along a direction line passing relatively close to but one side of said pivot axis.

10. In a control system for a supercharged aircraft cabin having an air outlet: a movable valve controlling said air outlet. a vacuum supply line, vacuum controlled r'neans connected to said line adapted to operate said valve, a control valve in said vacuum supply line, a spring for urging said control valve to move in a direction to effect operation-of said vacuum controlled means causing pressure and internally to outside atmospheric pressure, said chamber having a movable wall operatively coupled to said control valve to act thereonin opposition to said spring, and an expansive aneroid chamber exposed to atmospheric pressure and coupled to said control valve so as to add to the pressure exerted on said control valve by said spring in accordance with decrease in external atmospheric pressure.

1l. In a control system for a supercharged aircraft cabin having an air outlet: a movable valve controlling said air outlet, a vacuum supply line, vacuum controlled means connected to said line adapted to operate said valve, a control valve in `said vacuum supplyline, a resilient expansive aneroid chamber', exposed externally to exter` nal atmospheric pressure, coupled to said control valve in a manner to urge itV to move in a direction to effect operation of said vacuum controlled means causing closing movement of said air outlet valve in response to decrease in external atmospheric pressure, and a resilient expansive chamber, exposed externally to cabin pressure and internally to external atmospheric pressure, coupled to said control valve to act thereon in opposition to said aneroid resilient expansive closing movement of said air` outlet valve, a differential pressure responsive means coupled to said control valve to act thereon in opposition to said spring in accordance with the dillerential of pressures internally and externally of the cabin,

and means absolutely responsive to external atmospheric pressure coupled to and acting on sa'id control valvein the same direction as said spring and in an increasing degree with decreasing external atmospheric pressure.

13. In a control system for a supercharged airexpansive chamber exposed externally to cabin air controlled means, a spring for urging said air flow control valve to move in a direction to eil'ect operation of said air controlled means causing closing of the air outlet valve,l diil'erential pressure responsive means coupled to said air flow control valve to act thereon in opposition to said spring in accordance with the differential of pressures internally and externally of the cabin, and means responsive to external atmospheric pressure coupled to and acting on said air ilow control valve in the same direction as said spring and in an increasing degree with decreasing external atmospheric pressure.

14. In a control system for a supercharged aircrafty cabin having an air outlet: a vacuum controllable valve controlling said air outlet and adapted to open said air outlet to a degreev dependent upon the vacuum applied thereto, a source ol' vacuum, vacuum connections and controls between said source of vacuumand said vacuum controllable valve including a vacuum line containing a first control valve and a bypass vacuum line including' a second control valve connected in shunt with said first control valve, said rst control valve being normally open, and said second control valve being normally closed, absolute pressure responsive means exposed to cabin interior pressure and operable throughout a predetermined pressure range to gradually close the first control valve in response to tendency of cabin pressure to, fall, whereby cabin pressure is maintained substantially constant, and differential pressure responsive means, exiposed to the differential of cabin pressure and external atmospheric pressure, for gradually opening said second control valve upon increase of said differential pressure above a predetermined value.

l5. In a control system for a supercharged aircraft cabin having an air outlet: a pneumatically operable valve controlling said air outlet, a pneumatic control line, a first control valve in said line, a .branch line by-passing said first control valve, a second control valve in said branch line, absolute pressure responsive means 'exposed to cabin :pressure controlling said first control valve, and differential pressure responsive means, exposed to the differential of cabin pressure and external atmospheric pressure, controlling said secondl control valve.

` LEO NEVIN SCHWIEN. 

